Defensor Sporting - Tacuarembo

Uruguay Primera Division, Clausura

Odds are pretty high for this one, as bookies are probably counting on Defensor's lack of interest and focus. And so it might be, but early reports are giving their first team for today with almost all the regulars, trying to keep them in shape and football-focued for next week's final. Meanwhile, Tacuarembo will almost surely try some new players, like in the last round of Apertura, since they are already relegated and with nothing to lose. However, there are no certain details, as we don't know which of the regulars won't play, neither how many of them (the only thing certain is that th goal will be protected by the third keeper, who didn;t make a single appearance this season). So, Defensor with the regulars, Tacuarembo with some reserves, as we have a clear quality difference. And motivation should also be on Defensor's side, as they wnt to get to the final in a mood as good as possible, while Tacoarembo knows they are going down. Big quality gap here, and I'm happy to take the handicap. GL!

Defensor (-1 AH) @ 1.94, 4/10

Result: 1-0, VOID

Tacuarembo - Nacional Montevideo

Uruguay Primera Division, Clausura

Following a dreadful Apertura, Tacuarembo has apparently found some form in Clausura, and after finishing the first tournament with just 5 points in 15 rounds, now they have 12 points after 8 rounds, and have a remote chances of fighting at the top. Neither of their winning matches were against one of the top teams of the league (they actually failed miserably when they had a real challenge: 0-5 loss against Penarol last round), but even so, they shouldn't be such big underdogs tonight. Nacional is in tremendous form, not losing a single match of their last 7, in all competitions, but the players that did most of the hard work in that series are starting to feel the fatigue, as they had a hectic schedule. So the coach will rest several of his key players, in order to keep them fresh for the remaining matches of the league and Libertadores, where they are in a very even group, with equal chances both to qualify and to get knocked-out. So tonight are expected to start some of the players that also featured in the first few matches of the year, when Nacional was far from their name, and had a run of 4 games without a win. If Tacuarembo would have had the same form as last year, this would have been a big 'no bet', but with some clear improvements visible, I think they can surprise, and even if they lose, don't see them losing by more than 1 goal. GL!

Tacuarembo (+1 AH) @ 2.00, 4/10

Result: 0-3, LOST

Tacuarembo - Defensor Sporting

Uruguay Primera Division, Apertura

The odds on Defensor make me want to cry, but they are rightly set, and I'm having little doubts they will lose this one. They are on the top spot of the standings, and they need to win here in order to secure the title. Of course, they could do that even with a draw or a loss, but it looks unlikely that both Nacional and Bella Vista will fail to win their matches, especially since both of them are playing against weaker opposition. Defensor is in good form, despite their last round loss at home against Nacional (their only defeat in the last 10 games), and are a free-scoring team, putting the ball in the opposition net 28 times in 14 matches, having the best attack in the league. Tacuarembo are the worst team in the league, managing to get only 5 points, and are on a dreadful run of 8 consecutive losses, in which they have managed to score just a single goal. And it gets better: for today, Tacuarembo's coach will field a team of youngsters, grew at the club, in order to see if something good shows up for the Clausura. Those guys have played a lot of matches together in the youth divisions, but the quality gap between them and Defensor is simply huge, and I doubt they can make an instant impact against the best team in the league, which on top of it all is also in need of points. GL!

Defensor Sporting (-1.25 AH) @ 2.07, 5/10

Result: 1-3, WON

Nacional Montevideo - Tacuarembo

Uruguay Primera Division, Apertura

A nice match is expected here, as it seems as it has all the necessary ingredients for a goal fest. Neither team made a good start of the championship, and both are struggling in the lower side of the table, but while Nacional is just 5 points behind the leaders, and has a solid position to get back in the title race, Tacuarembo is last from bottom, with only 5 points, and with a complicated fate in terms of relegation (they are 9 points clear of El Tanque Sisley, but El Tanque's points get multiplied by 2, so it could change any time). The certain things is that both teams are in a dire need for points, and both will go all-in for today's match in order to secure them. 3 strikers are expected to start for both teams tonight, which means we could be in for a nice, goal-plenty match. Nacional will try a 4-1-2-3 tactics, with Santiago Garcia (their top-scorer) included in the starting line-up, while Tacuarembo will give it a shot with a super offensive 3-1-3-3. Both teams are having some of the poorest defenses, so a thinner back line, with a focus on the goals scored, should increase the amount of goal scoring chances that they will create, and hopefully, it will also increase the number of goals scored. One more thing: at Tacuarembo, Jorge Gonzalez will make his debut as their new coach, and he is well known for his offensive mindedness, as all his previous clubs have shown good skills with him at the helm. GL!

over 2.5 goals @ 1.82, 4/10

Result: 3-0, WON